The stop

Aquarium of Niagara Falls, 701 Whirlpool St., Niagara Falls, N.Y.

What makes it special

The Aquarium of Niagara Falls opened as a private corporation in 1965. Today the facility serves as a must-see destination for anyone interested in marine life. At the aquarium, visitors can participate in a multitude of programs, including meeting a seal and getting up close in an encounter with one of their famous Humboldt penguins.

3 things you might learn

1. The aquarium held the first underwater broadcast.

2. It introduced the synthetic seawater called instant ocean to the world.